BMA Calls For Action To Tackle Rising Obesity, Scotland

Reported 16 Feb 2011

Commenting this week on figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats which show that the number of people dying as a result of obesity has gone up by over 40% since 2004, Dr Dean Marshall, Chairman of the BMA's Scottish General Practitioners Committee said:

"The rise in deaths related to obesity is of grave concern. Currently around one third of children are either overweight or obese. We are in danger of raising a generation of children burdened with long term chronic health conditions. Doctors have a role to play in supporting overweight patients and talking about the dangers of obesity but there is a limit to what they can do. The BMA believes that the government must take action on this issue in order to achieve a real improvement in the future health of our children."

In Scotland, over 40 people a day are diagnosed with diabetes, and most of these cases are Type 2 diabetes, which is closely linked with obesity. Increasing rates in childhood obesity will also lead to more future cases of heart disease, osteoarthritis and some cancers. The estimated overall cost of obesity to Scottish society is £457 million every year.

Dr Marshall added:

"Prevention is much better than cure. It is better, healthier and safer if children are given the tools to manage their weight, eat healthily and take more exercise. But no-one is saying this is easy. It is crucial that we take the opportunity to halt the rise of obesity, and the host of illnesses that come with it - it is vital that the Scottish Government acts without delay."

In it's election manifesto, Priorities for Health BMA Scotland calls on political parties to:

- Develop a strategy to improve the diets of infants and young children.
- Extend the school fruit and vegetable scheme to all primary and nursery school children with the Government subsidizing the cost to encourage healthy eating.
- Create safe play areas in local communities.

British Medical Association